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After the cross, the disciples were downcast, rejected, despondent and without hope. They were defeated and disillusioned. On Easter morning, a few women went to the tomb carrying spices to anoint Jesus' body for burial. Mark 16:3-7 describes what happened next: "And they were saying to one another, 'Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?' [4] And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. [5] And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. [6] And he said to them, 'Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. [7] But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He said to you.'"

In that instant, everything changed. The bonds of sin were broken. The finality of death was decimated. Now, because Jesus rose from the dead, there was hope where there was despair, there is peace where there was conflict and there life where there was death.

Are you experiencing the hope of Easter? Has there been a time when you've placed your trust in Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead? Romans 10:9 says, "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved;"

Today I want to give you the opportunity to do just that. Do you believe in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead? If so, then will you confess Him as your Lord today?
 

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But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; [14] and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. [15] Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; [17] and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. [18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. 

[20] But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. [21] For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. 

What would life be like if there was no resurrection? Paul wrote, "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; [14] and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 

This is the pivotal issue of the Christian faith. If Jesus did not raise from the dead, there is no reason to proclaim from the teachings of scripture, because this is the truth that all other Christian truths are built upon. And the same is true of your faith. Without the resurrection, your faith is foolish. The faith that brought you through your trials-the faith that sustains you when you are tempted-the faith that is the conduit for God's grace in your life when you need forgiveness-without the resurrection, your faith is worthless.
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